Meet Team Penny for the London Marathon 2025!

Meet the Runners on Team Penny at London Marathon 2025!

On Sunday 27^th April, 7 more inspired individuals will be taking on ‘the greatest race in the world’ – the iconic London Marathon!

They all have varied personal connections to Penny Brohn UK, with some having friends and family who have gone through a cancer diagnosis and having received personal care and support from the charity.

Over the next 7 weeks we will be sharing their individual stories right here on the Penny Brohn UK website. So make sure to check back in each week for a new inspirational story.

Victor Batorijs

Running the London Marathon has always been an ambition of mine, as I spent many years of my life at University and then working in London. The history and grandeur of the event is legendary, and I’m so excited to finally be able to take it on in 2025. I will be flying over from Australia right before the event, and I think I’m the only international representative on Team Penny Brohn UK this year.

My brother Alex was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (brain cancer) in 2012, and he passed away in 2017. Over those 5 years he said to me several times how much he valued the services at Penny Brohn UK and how much encouragement and solace he, and his wife Sarah, found there. I’m so honoured to be able to run for them during the London Marathon this year.

My training is going well, however I’m currently getting back on track after a sailing injury at Christmas time – I got flipped over on the boat and ended up with 3 fractured ribs. My GP did her best Maggie Smith impersonation when I asked her if I could go for a run! I took 4 weeks out and replaced running with cycling, walking up stairs and using the elliptical machine in the gym. My first test run after the 4-week layoff was a 5km easy jog and I had no rib pain – so that was a great sign. Then the weekend after I did a 14km run over 1.5 hours and a few weeks ago I managed a 19km run in 2 hours so I’m building my distance back up again. It’s given me confidence that I can rebuild my fitness for the big day – and have I just over 9 weeks to go, so heaps of time.

There are so many incredible moments I’m looking forward to – the excitement at the start line, hearing all of the encouragement from spectators along the route, running over Tower Bridge and along the Thames will be special, wearing my Penny Brohn UK vest with pride, the feeling of accomplishment at the finish line, letting my girlfriend and all my friends and relatives know my result, and the taste of a pint of beer the evening after the run! My personal goal is to beat 4 hours, but the real goal is to raise much needed funds and awareness for Penny Brohn UK who looked after Alex so amazingly.

Charles Cutland

I have been running as a hobby for around 7 years now, and it has been a goal of mine for a while to complete a marathon distance. I have completed a number of half-marathons, and have watched both my Mum and Dad complete the London Marathon. Once you experience the atmosphere on marathon day in London you just want to be running!

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, and when she was going through treatment to overcome her illness, she benefitted greatly from the support provided by Penny Brohn UK at the Centre just outside Bristol. Running for Penny Brohn UK gives me the opportunity to raise funds and awareness so that others can receive this same support that was so valuable.

I’ve actually been struggling with an achilles problem over the past few months which has put a real spanner in the works in terms of training. This has meant I’ve been conscious about load management with running and doing lots of cycling and swimming as well. But I’ve had plenty of motivation along the way – I love running to an Icelandic rock band called Kaleo. If you need to push then ‘Hot Blood’ will get your legs moving! I’ve been running a lot on a treadmill so returning to running outside at Battersea Parkrun a week or so ago was a good feeling.

I can’t wait to just feel the atmosphere on the day, it’s going to be incredible. It’s an emotional day, even if you don’t have a vested interest!

Shay Lundy

A few years ago, I suffered a serious ankle injury while playing football, which kept me out of the game and any physical activity for about 3 years. Taking on something as physically demanding as the London Marathon – something only a few people get to do in their lifetime – feels like a huge achievement for me post-injury. It’s also a way to rebuild the confidence I’ve been missing for a while.

Penny Brohn UK is a charity close to my heart because the chairman of my Sunday league football club, Wickford & Runwell, used their services after being diagnosed with cancer. Without their help, our club might not still be around, as he is one of the key people keeping it running. Playing football with my friends again means everything to me, and supporting Penny Brohn UK feels like my way to give back.

Training has been tough balancing work, social life, and training. My old injury still gives me quite a bit of pain, especially when playing football or running, which isn’t ideal. But I love being out in the fresh air, and training with my friend Sam has really helped keep me going.

I usually run to house music – tracks like Something to Me by Josh Baker or even Señorita by Justin Timberlake. If I put a playlist on, it’s a mix of old-school house tracks, 2010s R&B, and some classics from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

I recently picked up a hamstring injury, which isn’t great so close to marathon day. But looking on the bright side, I was never aiming for a specific time – I just want to cross the finish line and be able to say I did it.

Tom and Sam Marshall

Why run the London Marathon?

Tom: December 2024 marked 10 years since we lost our Mum, and we wanted to do something special to mark that milestone. Neither of us has run a marathon before, so taking on the world’s biggest marathon in her memory felt like the perfect challenge.

Sam: In memory of our mum, Bobbi Marshall, who we lost in 2014. It was the 10-year anniversary in December (2024) so it felt like the right time to take on a big challenge in her memory – what better challenge is there than the London Marathon!

Why are you running for Penny Brohn UK?

Tom: Penny Brohn UK supported Mum through her second battle with breast cancer in 2013. Their work made such an impact that, when it came to planning her funeral, Mum asked people to donate to Penny Brohn UK instead of buying flowers. It made sense to continue reflecting her choice 10 years on, and we were thrilled when the team at PBUK confirmed they’d provide both of us with places to run.

Sam: They supported mum throughout her illness and left a lasting impact on the family. Their care and support had a really positive impact on mum’s quality of life, so much so that she requested donations for PBUK at her funeral, so it felt like a very easy choice and a great opportunity to try and give something back.

What’s your go-to running playlist (or podcast!)

Tom: I usually have an audiobook on the go for slower training. Right now, I’m listening to Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. For harder, quicker runs, I have a playlist that’s a bit of a mixed bag. It varies from rap (e.g. J. Cole) to rock (e.g. Rise Against), to some stuff I’d be pretty embarrassed to share (e.g. Madonna – Like a Prayer). Anything that gives me energy, really. Even if that’s 80s pop.

Sam: It’s an eclectic mix to be honest, my ‘race day’ playlist has everything from Bruce Springsteen to Fred Again. I always start with Turn The Page by The Streets though.

How’s the training going?

Tom: I’ve run a few half marathons in the past, so the training so far has been fairly familiar. We’re starting to get to the bigger distances now though and I’m noticing the challenge both physically – and from a scheduling point of view. Running for 3 hours on a Saturday doesn’t leave you with a lot of time or energy for much else!

Sam: It’s been good so far! Although now the distances are ramping up, it’s getting a little daunting. Every long run is further than I’ve ever run before, so each one is quite intimidating – it’s a great feeling once you finish them though.

Any notable training moments so far?

Tom: To help with the fundraising we filmed a promotional video on a cold February morning at a public park. Ben, who put the video together, did an amazing job given the lack of talent he was working with, but it was a funny morning running about to get the footage. We had a lot of curious looks from people trying to work out why two very average looking athletes warranted a camera crew.

Sam: We ran our hometown half marathon at the end of Feb with a load of our friends and that was a great day. So many people came out to support us and we all ended up at the pub afterwards.

On a less positive note, I did fall over on a training run a few weeks ago and cut up my shoulder, hand and leg! No lasting damage done – other than to my pride.

What are you looking forward to most about the day itself?

Tom: For me, it’s the support. We’ve been incredibly well supported by friends and family throughout the fundraising and I know there’s also a fair few that are also planning to be there on the day. I’m trying to view the training as the hard work and race day as a celebration at the end, but we’ll see how quickly that positive mindset disappears at mile 20.

Sam: I think the atmosphere and the support. Running with a crowd cheering you on is a very special feeling and to share that with 50,000 other people all running for their own causes is going to be incredible. It’s probably a close call between that and a well deserved beer afterwards.

Billy Thomas

I’m running the London Marathon for Penny Brohn UK as it’s a local charity to my family in Bristol, and one that my partner’s Granny used when she had cancer. My mother-in-law has also raised lots of money for Penny Brohn UK in the past.

This is the first time I have fundraised for a charity, aside from just making a personal donation, and it gives you such a good feeling to help in this way.

Dominic Duffy

I started running about 2 years ago when I got a spot in the Hackney Half Marathon. Despite being pretty sceptical about running being enjoyable hobby, I absolutely loved the day and by the next day had signed up for my first marathon in Lisbon! Around 5,000 people take part in that race, which begins out in Sintra and runs along the coastline into Lisbon. It’s is a phenomenal course and experience.

London Marathon being 10x the size of that experience, around 50,000 participants, is hard for me to even wrap my head around. If you carry that multiplier through to the support, the excitement, the nerves – it really is a once in a lifetime experience. So, when the opportunity to run for Penny Brohn UK was given to me, I was ecstatic to have a chance to represent such an amazing charity on a day which brings so much joy to so many.

I have had several relatives suffer from cancer, as I’m sure many people unfortunately have; such is the universality of such an awful disease. One of the things that is ever-present in those dealing with cancer is the phenomenal care that is provided to them by charities like Penny Brohn UK. A cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly one of the most gut-wrenching days of anyone’s life; but it is merely the beginning of a journey in which patients live with, adjust to, and hopefully thrive in spite of their illness. Penny Brohn UK was brought to my attention by my amazing girlfriend, whose family have seen first-hand what amazing results can be achieved by truly caring and dedicated support.

My training’s going really well. I recently heard from a friend about the “rule of thirds” – in training for a big goal, a third of the time you will feel good, a third of the time okay, and a third of the time awful. I would say that is pretty reflective! I’ve found you always have more in the tank than your mind tells you, and that rest and recovery is at least 50% of the game. There’s a playlist on Spotify that I like to listen to on my runs called “Ring Walks”, which is meant to provide great walk-out songs for boxers. It makes a great playlist for finding spare motivation when my brain is telling me “you will not finish this session!”

For my ‘key’ 34km long run, I was halfway through my warm-up before getting sent into the air by a rogue e-bike as I walked across a zebra crossing. After dusting off my body and checking for any serious injury beyond some grazes and a slight wrist sprain, thankfully my run went pretty well! (Though my heart rate was a bit high after thinking I was covered in blood – my carbohydrate gels had burst in my palm when I hit the deck!).

Another memorable moment would be admittedly feeling pretty sorry for myself mid-way through a 30km run on a miserable Monday evening, when I realized another person training (presumably also for London) had done almost the exact same session as me, only they had completed it in a wheelchair. Perspective really is a wonderful thing.

It’s tempting to say that I’m most looking forward to the finish line, but honestly, I can’t wait for the feeling on the start line of anxiety and excitement before taking on something really challenging surrounded by so many people doing the same. I’ll be pushing myself as hard as I can, so I’m not sure I’ll enjoy 100% of it, but I have no doubt the support of all the amazing people who come out to watch will make it feel so much easier.

Jack Boyd

Competing in the London Marathon offers a chance to conquer a legendary race, pushing your own limits while experiencing the energy of London’s iconic landmarks and enthusiastic crowds. It’s a powerful platform for fundraising, allowing you to make a real difference while achieving a significant personal goal that promotes discipline, resilience, and lasting memories.

I chose to run for Penny Brohn UK, a charity that has related to my family in previous years. My dad ran the New York Marathon for the charity back in 2007, and his experience really highlighted the impact Penny Brohn UK has on individuals and their family’s facing cancer. Sadly, cancer has touched my life on a few occasions. Witnessing first-hand the challenges and the need for comprehensive support during those times has encouraged my commitment to supporting organisations like Penny Brohn UK. Knowing that my efforts in the London Marathon will contribute to their work makes this challenge even more meaningful. It feels like a way to honour those experiences and continue my family’s connection with a charity that makes such a tangible difference.

I am very mixed when it comes listening to music in general and that translates to my runs. One second, I will be listening to some R&B and then the next will be listening to indie. I get bored very quick so the change in genre needs to be consistent. Podcasts, on the other hand, haven’t really made their way into my training routine.

Training, I’m assuming like everyone else, has been a right mix of emotions. One minute I am buzzing, feeling strong, and the next I’m questioning why I thought I could ever run this far. But overall, I’m chuffed with how far I’ve come, to be honest. Fingers crossed I’m ready for the madness of the big day. Got a couple of those annoying little injuries still hanging about, the kind that just won’t sod off, so hoping they play nicely on the day. But yeah, progress is progress, and I’ll take it.

Right, so yeah, the thought of not having to lace up my running trainers for a bit after this is defo a little perk in the back of my mind, haha. But what I’m actually excited about is that mental atmosphere everyone talks about. My training’s been pretty much a solo mission, just me and the road, so having all those other runners around and people actually cheering is going to be unreal. That whole feeling of loads of people watching is gonna be so weird but also kind of cool and totally new. And getting that medal at the end and finally seeing my friends and family. That’s gonna be such a mint feeling, proper buzzing for that. And then the pint at the end is just gonna be the cherry on the cake.